Byron wins his way into the Playoffs at Daytona, DiBenedetto clinches final spot on points: With his NASCAR Cup Series Playoff hopes on the line, Hendrick Motorsports’ driver William Byron earned his first career victory Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 regular season finale. The victory was an automatic berth into the Playoffs for the 22-year old Byron – a hard-fought trophy in a typically full-contact, high-emotion contest on NASCAR’s famed Daytona high-banks to settle the Playoff field. [Read More](8-29-2020)
Paint Schemes
#24-William Byron won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway. The win is his 1st career win and locked him into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs in the final race of the regular season.
#9-Elliott finished 2nd followed by #11-Hamlin, #19-Truex, Jr., #43-Wallace, #12-Blaney, #88-Bowman, #62-Gaughan, #17-Buescher, and #2-Keselowski.
Pole sitter #4-Harvick finished 20th after contact with the wall coming to the finish.
The first “Big One” of the night came out with 8 laps remaining. #8-Reddick made a move for the lead and tried to slide up in front of #18-Busch but did not have enough room. Cars stacked up behind him, leading to a 10 car accident and a 10 minute red flag for track cleanup.
The second “Big One” came with 2 to go, involved 11 drivers, and led to an overtime finish for the race. #11-Hamlin got into the rear of #22-Logano, getting him loose. Logano then slid up into #43-Wallace and the track closed up on the rest of the field. The race was again red flagged (for 5 minutes) for track cleanup. #48-Johnson had been battling all night for the final playoff position, but finished 17th after the damage and missed a playoff spot by 6 points.
Stage 1 & 2 were both won by #22-Logano.
The 2020 NASCAR Cup Playoffs field is now set: #4-Kevin Harvick, #11-Denny Hamlin, #2-Brad Keselowski, #22-Joey Logano, #9-Chase Elliott, #19-Martin Truex, Jr., #12-Ryan Blaney, #88-Alex Bowman, #24-William Byron, #3-Austin Dillon, #41-Cole Custer, #10-Aric Almirola, #14-Clint Bowyer, #18-Kyle Busch, #1-Kurt Busch, and #21-Matt DiBenedetto.
There were 35 lead changes among 16 drivers and 6 cautions for 21 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 153.766mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Reseeded Drivers Points Standings, Resseded Owners Points Standings, Driver Points Before Reset , Owner Points Before Reset, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Race Fast Facts – Daytona:
William Byron won the 62nd Annual Coke Zero Sugar 400, his first victory in 98 NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his first victory and ninth top-10 finish in 2020.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in six races at Daytona International Speedway.
Chase Elliott (second) posted his first top-10 finish in 10 races at Daytona International Speedway. It is his 15th top-10 finish in 2020.
Denny Hamlin (third) posted his 11th top-10 finish in 30 races at Daytona International Speedway.
John Hunter Nemechek (11th) was the highest finishing rookie.
William Byron and Matt DiBenedetto clinch the final two spots in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
Byron becomes the 21st different driver to win his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway and the 11th to do it in the summer race.
(NASCAR)(8-29-2020)
Cup Series Playoff Standings after Daytona (race 26):
(after points reset)
| Pos |
Driver |
Points
|
| 1) |
#4-Kevin Harvick |
2057
|
| 2) |
#11-Denny Hamlin |
2047
|
| 3) |
#2-Brad Keselowski |
2029
|
| 4) |
#22-Joey Logano |
2022
|
| 5) |
#9-Chase Elliott |
2020
|
| 6) |
#19-Martin Truex, Jr. |
2014
|
| 7) |
#12-Ryan Blaney |
2013
|
| 8) |
#88-Alex Bowman |
2009
|
| 9) |
#24-William Byron |
2007
|
| 10) |
#3-Austin Dillon |
2005
|
| 11) |
#41-Cole Custer |
2005
|
| 12) |
#10-Aric Almirola |
2005
|
| Bottom 4 are eliminated after Bristol |
| 13) |
#14-Clint Bowyer |
2004
|
| 14) |
#18-Kyle Busch |
2003
|
| 15) |
#1-Kurt Busch |
2001
|
| 16) |
#21-Matt DiBenedetto |
2000
|
| See the Drivers Points Standings and Owners Points Standings. |
Cup Series Playoff Standings after Daytona (race 26):
(before points reset)
| Pos |
Driver |
Wins
|
Points
|
| 1) |
#4-Kevin Harvick |
7
|
1058
|
| 2) |
#11-Denny Hamlin |
6
|
943
|
| 3) |
#2-Brad Keselowski |
3
|
913
|
| 4) |
#19-Martin Truex, Jr. |
1
|
887
|
| 5) |
#22-Joey Logano |
2
|
866
|
| 6) |
#12-Ryan Blaney |
1
|
858
|
| 7) |
#9-Chase Elliott |
2
|
844
|
| 8) |
#88-Alex Bowman |
1
|
692
|
| 9) |
#24-William Byron |
1
|
676
|
| 10) |
#3-Austin Dillon |
1
|
573
|
| 11) |
#41-Cole Custer |
1
|
476
|
| Clinched a spot on points |
Points
|
Ahead of 17th
|
| 11) |
#10-Aric Almirola |
759
|
-299
|
| 12) |
#18-Kyle Busch |
724
|
-334
|
| 14) |
#14-Clint Bowyer |
711
|
-347
|
| 13) |
#1-Kurt Busch |
710
|
-348
|
| 15) |
#21-Matt DiBenedetto |
666
|
-392
|
| Missed the Playoffs |
Points
|
Behind 16th
|
| 17) |
#48-Jimmie Johnson |
660
|
-6
|
| 18) |
#20-Erik Jones |
593
|
-73
|
| See the Drivers Points Standings and Owners Points Standings. |
Cars to the rear: #3-Dillon (failed pre-race inspection twice), #14-Bowyer (unapproved adjustments)
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Clinch Scenarios
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway have been made. Selections were made based on the starting lineup process.
Pole sitter #4-Harvick chose pit stall 1.
2nd place starter #19-Truex, Jr. took the 19th stall, with an opening in front of it.
See all pit choices on the Pit Stall chart.(8-26-2020)
#4-Kevin Harvick will start from the pole for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
#19-Truex, Jr. will start second, followed by #22-Logano, #2-Keselowski, #10-Almirola, #24-Byron, #48-Johnson, #88-Bowman, #12-Blaney, and #11-Hamlin.
The lineup was set by the new qualifying procedure, based on race finish, points position, and fastest race lap.
See the complete Coke Zero Sugar 400 Starting Lineup.(8-26-2020)
Crew Rosters
Goodyear Tire Notes
The Entry List for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #7-Bilicki, #27-Yeley, #51-Davison, #53-Gase, #62-Gaughan, #77-Chastain.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf).
